Alec Burleson is an American professional baseball player who primarily features as a first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter for the St. Louis Cardinals. Born in North Carolina in November 1998, he played college baseball at East Carolina University, where he earned accolades both as an outfielder and a pitcher. He was selected by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2020 Major League Baseball draft. After climbing through the minor leagues, he made his major league debut in September 2022.Burleson established himself as an everyday player for the Cardinals during the 2024 season, playing in 152 games, hitting 21 home runs, and leading the team with 78 runs batted in. He followed this up with a stellar 2025 campaign, earning his first Silver Slugger Award as a utility player. During the 2025 season, he posted a .290 batting average, a .343 on-base percentage, and a .459 slugging percentage across 546 plate appearances, along with 18 home runs and 69 RBIs. His underlying advanced metrics supported this success, as he increased his barrel rate to 9.4% without sacrificing contact, maintaining a low 14.5% strikeout rate. Furthermore, he made significant improvements against same-handed pitching, increasing his OPS against left-handers to .708.Entering the 2026 season, Burleson was viewed as a prime breakout candidate with an opportunity to secure a true everyday role. Early 2026 statistics reflect his continued offensive development. Through early May, he maintained strong expected metrics, including an expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) of .382 and an expected slugging percentage (xSLG) of .549, placing him in the upper percentiles of the league. He also possesses an elite strikeout rate and a high percentage of squared-up contact. While his offensive profile is strong, advanced metrics indicate he is below average in baserunning, with a sprint speed of 25.4 feet per second, and he possesses below-average fielding range and arm strength.His impact was evident in a recent matchup on May 7, 2026, against the San Diego Padres. In that game, Burleson hit a crucial game-tying solo home run in the fourth inning—his sixth home run of the season—which ultimately helped propel the Cardinals to a narrow 2-1 victory. Throughout his major league career up to that point, he has accumulated 54 home runs, 216 RBIs, and a .268 batting average. Off the field, he married his wife Mary in late 2023, and they welcomed their first child in 2025.

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